Dadi Ma looked pale and unwell to Maan when he walked into the restaurant to meet her.

“Dadi Ma! Aapki tabiyat theek nahin lag rahi hai.”

“Uski chinta aapko kyon hogi Maan?” Her anger had not mellowed down.

“Dadi Ma!” Maan was clearly hurt.

“Hamein yahan kyon bulaya hai?”

Maan sighed. Probably finishing what he had come to do was the only hope of making Dadi Ma see his point.

“Dadi Ma. Mujhe pata hai ki aap mujhse naaraaz hain. Lekin jo main aaj aapko batane ja raha hoon, aap please ek baar woh sun lijiye. ”

Dadi Ma did not reply. So, Maan started off by showing her the photocopy of gueshouse’s registers and bills. Dadi Ma had no difficulty in recognizing Dev’s handwriting. Then Maan called Munshi ji in and he told her about his conversations with the land agent, how he recognized Dev and Nayantara as the ones selling Geet’s land, with the staff of the temple where Dev and Geet got married and also the lodge where they stayed.

Dadi Ma was speechless at the end of it. Despite Maan supporting Geet all through, Dadi Ma had never even in her wildest imaginations believed that Dev could stoop so low. She had questioned Dev and Nayantara about how they paid off the debt. They had assured her that Nayantara’s family had helped them. Maan told Dadi Ma about Pammi’s involvement as well. Once she came to terms with the fact that Dev was indeed responsible for that heinous crime, her thoughts turned to Geet.

“Maan beta. Geet kaisi hain? Humne unke saath sahi nahin kiya.”

“Dadi Ma! Geet theek hai lekin… Use aapki zaroorat hai Dadi Ma. Aap please usse ek baar mil lijiye.”

Dadi Ma nodded.

Maan said when they were driving back home, “Dadi Ma! I am sorry – humne aapke aashirwaad ke bina shaadi kar li. Geet nahin chahti thi, lekin maine…”

“Maan, aap Geet ke saath khush hain na?”

“Aap jaanti hain Dadi Ma. Geet ne hi to mujhe phir se khush rahna, jeena sikhaya hai.”

“Phir hamein koi shikayat nahin hai,” Dadi Ma smiled.

—

“Geet!” Geet looked up from the magazine she was reading on hearing Maan’s voice and was stunned to see Dadi Ma standing there with him.

“Dadi Ma!” She stood up and for a moment did not know what to do. Then she regained her senses and started fretting, “Dadi Ma! Aap baithiye na. Main aapke liye chai bana kar lati hoon… Nahin… Itni garmi hai. Main sharbat lati hoon. Aap nashta karengi…”

“Geet bete,” Dadi Ma came forward and held her hands, “Hum aapse maafi maangne aaye hain. Apne khoon par andh-vishwas kar ke humne aapke saath bahut galat salook kiya. Aap hamein maaf kar dengi na?”

Geet was initially too surprised to react. She kept looking at Dadi Ma for a few seconds and then looked at Maan. He smiled and blinked in assurance.

Overwhelmed by emotions, tears filled Geet’s eyes, which she tried hard to blink back, “Dadi Ma! Aap maafi maang kar mujhe sharminda kyon kar rahi hain? Aapka aashirwaad mujhe mil jaye, to aur mujhe kuchh nahin chahiye.”

“Bahut bada dil hai aapka beta. Na jaane humne aapko itna galat kaise samjha,” Dadi Ma paused for a second and then asked, “Geet! Beta, aap theek hain na? Koi pareshaani to nahin hai aapko?”

Geet could not control her emotions on hearing these words of concern. Tears started flowing freely from her eyes.

“Aap ro kyon rahi hain Geet? Sab theek hai na?”

“Dadi Ma! Mujhe galat mat samajhiyega. Maan mera bahut khayal rakhte hain. Kabhi kissi cheez ki kami nahin mahsoos hone dete hain. Lekin mujhe bahut ghabrahat hoti hai Dadi Ma! Hamesha lagta hai ki kahin kuchh galat to nahin kar rahi. Pata nahin main ek zimmedaar Ma ban paungi ya nahin? Dadi Ma! Aap meri madad karengi na, please?”

Neither Dadi Ma, nor Maan could help tears when Geet poured her heart out in front of Dadi Ma. Geet had never voiced her concern, but Maan had guessed it that she really pined for a mother-figure, especially to get advice and assurance in pregnancy related matters. Maan could have treated her like a princess; yet it was not possible to fill the role of a mother to an eighteen year old, especially when she was pregnant at such a young age.

Dadi Ma hugged Geet and replied, “Bas Geet. Aapko chinta karne ki koi zaroorat nahin hai. Aap bahut bahadur hain. Ab tak ki ladai aapne akele ladi hai, aur bahut achchhe se ladi hai. Aap duniya ki sabse achchhi Ma banengi. Aur hum hain ab aapke saath. Hamesha.”

Maan smiled and wiped his tears. To make the mood light, he said, “Koi meri taraf bhi dekhega.”

Dadi Ma and Geet broke their hug smiling as Maan came closer and Dadi Ma hugged both of them together. Geet and Maan had a quick, silent eye-talk and they touched Dadi Ma’s feet to get the long pending blessing for their marriage.

“Dadi Ma, aapki tabiyat theek nahin hai kya? Aap beemaar lag rahi hain,” Geet asked.

“Aur kya? Koi hamaari dekh-bhaal karne waala jo nahin tha. Ab hamein hamari bahu mil gayi hai, to hum usse seva karwa-karwa kar dubara hatte-katte ho jayenge.”

All three of them smiled as Dadi Ma hugged them once again.

—

The case would have been straight-forward if they could get the DNA test done for the baby. But the doctor had advised against it for an unborn baby as it could potentially be harmful to the baby. A risk which, obviously, they could not have taken. Maan was also not ready to wait for the baby to be born to initiate the case. He was clear and determined about his aim. He wanted everything sorted out before the baby was born. Thankfully by following up on the leads in Hoshiyarpur, including the case against Brij, there were enough witnesses and proofs for Dev’s crime. They were also able to get the immigration records that showed Dev and his family’s presence in India during that period.

What surprised Geet the most was that Maan called Pammi and Kamya back from Canada and Pammi agreed to testify against Dev. Firstly she was bogged down with guilt ever since they had duped Geet; and when she came to know Geet’s pregnancy, her guilt increased manyfold. Secondly, Maan had clearly warned her that if she did not cooperate, she and her daughter would also be co-accused. If she co-operated Geet will herself ask for leniency on their cases and they could ensure that Kamya did not have to go to the jail.

There were uncomfortable moments during the case, but Maan stood by Geet like a rock. He had also ensured that all of the witnesses from Hoshiyarpur stayed in Delhi during the trial. He made comfortable stay arrangements for them. He and Dadi Ma testified for Dev’s financial troubles.

At a later stage in the case, Maan was also able to arrange for the CCTV footage of airport on the day Dev had left her there. The entire family’s presence with Geet was evident from that.

Despite some twisted attempts by Dev and Nayantara’s lawyers, they could not get their way and Dev was fined and sentenced for rape and fraud. Nayantara also got a sentence, albeit smaller one, as main co-accused.

Pammi and Kamya were let off on a heavy fine on Geet’s leniency plea. Maan paid the fine for them.

—

Maan took Geet to their farmhouse that night. They needed time away from the worries after the case was over. Cool breeze was blowing at the night as they lazed around in the dimly lit poolside.

Maan felt like swimming in the pool for a while. He told Geet so and after taking off his vest, jumped into the pool. Geet got up from her chair when Maan came out of the pool and moved towards him. She could not help but feel drawn towards his toned body looking even more attractive with the water dripping from all over. Geet was also feeling emotionally drained after two months of running around for the case. The emotional and physical needs came togehter as she hugged his wet body tight without saying anything. Maan happily and habitually recirpocated. He cupped her face when they broke the hug and asked very softly, “Geet tum khush to ho na?”

Geet looked up at him and in next few moments she recalled all the time she had been with him since they had first met. She felt overwhelmed on realizing just how much this man had done for her, just how much he loved her!

“Maan! Main aapse kuchh maangna chahti hoon.”

“Bolo Geet. Lekin tumhein maangne ki kya zaroorat hai? Mera sab kuchh tumhara hi to hai.”

“Main ek baar aapke pair chhona chahti hoon.”

“Kya?” Maan was completely confused, “Ye kaisi baat kar rahi ho Geet?”

Geet realized than what she said would have been extremely awkward for him, “Nahin! Mujhe galat mat samajhiyega Maan. Main jaanti hoon ki aap mere ghar waalon jaise nahin hain, jo auraton ko apne se chhota samajhte hain aur unhein daba kar rakhna apna haq maante hain. Aapke man mein aise baat galti se bhi nahin aa sakti. Isliye to aap un sabse itne alag hain. Main bas… Main aapki bahut izzat karti hoon Maan. Aur isse main chhoti nahin ho jati. Balki jo insaan itni izzat ka kaabil hai, woh mujhe itna pyaar karta hai, usse to mera kad aur ooncha ho jaata hai. Bas is izzat ki wajah se ek baar…”

“Chup Geet. Bilkul chup,” Maan silenced her in his signature style, “Mujhe pata hai Geet ki tum meri kitni izzat karti ho. Ye batane ke liye tumhein kuchh bhi aur karne ki zaroorat nahin hai. Tumhari har baat se pata chalta hai iska. Jaise tum meri har baat maanti ho, mujhpar atoot vishwas karti ho, mere baare mein mere apne munh se bhi kuchh bura nahin sun sakti ho, mere liye kissi se bhi lad jaati ho, apni jaan tak ki parwah nahin karti ho. Un sabse mujhe pata chal jaata hai Geet ki tum meri kitni izzat karti ho. Aur mujhe bahut achchha lagta hai ki jis ladki se main itna pyaar karta hoon, woh meri itni izzat karti hai. Main duniya ka sabse khushkistam insaan hoon Geet. Aur Geet, agar tumhein ab tak na pata chala ho, to main bata doon ki main bhi tumhari bahut izzat karta hoon. Main har waqt, har mod par tumhare saath isliye khada rahta hoon kyonki main tumhari bahaduri, saadgi aur sachchai ka kayal hoon Geet. To main to tumhein kissi ke saamne, apne saamne bhi jhukne nahin de sakta. Dubara aisi baat bhi mat karna.”

Geet had anticipated his resistance. In fact, it was in a moment of being carelessly emotional that she had asked him for doing it. She really wanted to, but knew that Maan would never allow that. Still, when he  told clearly what he felt about it, his words touched Geet. Her eyes were moist, but the tears were that of the happiness. She hugged him once again and he reciprocated.

Maan felt good that he made her so happy. But at the same time he liked it more when Geet was her usual bubbly self. Somehow when she was emotional, he always got a feeling that she felt burdened by all that he had done for her. He did not know of a way to actually convince her that she had done much more for him that what he had done for her. He might have saved her body; but she had saved his soul. Right now he had to get her out of her emotional state. Thankfully it did not take much to distract this child woman. He teased her, “Waise Geet. Maine shayad tumhein kuchh zyada hi credit de diya.”

Geet broke the hug and looked at him all confused, “Kya matalab?”

“Saari baatein to nahin maanti ho tum meri. Jab tumhein woh gol-gappe aur road-side ki unhygienic chat khani hoti hai to tum mere lakh manaa karne par bhi apni manmaani hi karti ho.”

“Maan!”

“Main galat thode hi na kah raha hoon, lekin…” he paused and lifted her in his arms.

“Ab ye aap kya kar rahe hain?”

“Ensure kar raha hoon ki tum meri pakad mein raho aur abhi tumhein meri baat maanni hi pade.”

“Kya baat?”

“Ab dekho. Tumne mujhe khud ko dry karne ka bhi mauka nahin diya aur aake lipat gayin,” he paused to see her getting embarrassed and then continued naughtily, “To ab tumhare kapde bheeg gaye hain. Isse to tumhein aur baby ko thandh lag sakti hai.” Geet looked at him confused wondering where it was all going. Suddenly he changed his tone and continued in a heavy, seducing, suggestive voice, “To ye kapde to utarne padenge na Geet. Aur yahan tumhari koi zidd nahin chalegi.” Geet blushed heavily. He had caught her unguarded. Simply his words and voice were enough to make her shiver.

He took her to their room and settled her on the bed, “Geet koi jaadu-tona aata hai kya tumhein? Din-ba-din aur bhi zyada khoobsoorat hoti ja rahi ho.”

Geet blushed even more and did not meet her eyes.

“Ab chup kyon ho gayi Geet? Bolo na…” he climbed on the bed and lied down with his head on her lap.

She had to speak what was on her mind, “Aapki wajah se…”

“Achchha… Ek to tum apni khoobsoorti se mujhe itna bechain karti ho, itna pareshaan karti ho. Aur uska ilzaam bhi mere hi oopar daal rahi ho. Zara sunoon to ki meri wajah se tumhari khoobsoorti kaise badh rahi hai Geet?”

“Aap mujhe itna khush jo rakhte hain…”

“Achchha…” Maan smiled meaningfully and used his hand to bring her face down, “Phir to mujhe iska inaam milna chahiye.”

He bit her lips lightly and then followed it up with a deep, probing kiss leaving her breathless. After the kiss she bent backwards, leaned on the headboard of the bed and closed her eyes. He breathing was heavy and her face gave away her desires.

Maan also got up, leaned closer to her and nuzzled his nose on her cheek and earlobes. Then he traced those areas with his lips and came down to the side of her neck. He kissed her repeatedly on the neck and the shoulders and even bit her once leaving a mark. Geet flinched when he bit her, but he was too lost to notice. When the sensations his kisses sent through her body became too much to bear, she dig her hands into his hair and pulled his face away fom her neck. She looked at him with her eyes almost closing for a couple of seconds and pleasantly suprised him by kissing him passionately on his lips.  When they withdrew from the kiss, Geet became conscious of what she had done. Maan felt amused and aroused at the same time. He could not let go of the opportunity to tease her, “Geet! Tumhari himmat to bahut badh gayi hai, ” he paused to see the effect on her. She was unable to meet his eyes and looked embarrassed and nervous. He continued, “Achchha laga Geet.” Geet still did not meet his eyes. But the nervous expressions on her face changed to a blushing smile as she hid her face in his chest.

Maan put his arms around her and started caressing her back, while his lips once again found their way to her neck and shoulders. He opened the zip of her kurti at the back and slid it over her shoulders. After paying due attention to her entire upper body, he quickly ripped off rest of their clothes as well; and their bodies passionately gave in to each other.

After they had caught their breath, Geet asked him this question so innocently that it made him laugh out loud, “Maan! Main sach mein aapki baatein nahin maanti hoon. Aapko bura lagta hai?”

Maan replied after his laughter subsided, “Geet. Sach bataun. Bahut achcha lagta hai ki tum mujhse zidd karti ho, jhagda karti ho. Haan Geet. Koi aur to ye sab kar nahin sakta na mere saath. In sab se hi to lagta hai ki tum meri apni ho. Haan kuchh cheezein hai jinmein tumhein meri baat maanni hogi.”

“Jaise?” she asked innocently again.

Maan again chuckled and quickly gave a peck on her lips. She realized what his answer was, blushed once again and hid her face in his chest. He drew her close as they lied down in each other’s arms.

– The End –

After they were spent, they lied in each other’s arms for a while, without speaking anything. Then Maan propped up on his hand and looked at her lovingly. Geet felt conscious and asked, “Aise kya dekh rahe hain?”

“Dekh raha hoon ki tum pahle se bhi zyada khoobsoorat lag rahi ho.”

“Aisa kyon?”

“Maan Singh Khurana ki dulhan jo ban gayi ho,” he said suggestively.

Geet blushed, but replied back bravely, “Achchha. To ab meri khoobsoorti ka credit bhi aap lenge.”

“Credit lene ki zaroorat to tab padegi, jab tumhein koi dekhega. Main to soch raha hoon ki tumhein saari duniya se chhipa kar, kahin band kar doon. Jahan sirf main tumhein dekh sakoon. Aur tum bhi mere alawa kissi ko na dekh sako.”

Obviously that was not going to happen. But the possessiveness that these lines showed made Geet’s heart skip a beat. She felt the urge to lose herself in his arms, but also felt too shy to actually initiate the hug.

She just replied with a nervous smile, “Maan. Aap bhi na…”

Mana smiled and fulfilled her unspoken wish by taking her in his arms.

—

“Geet. Mujhe tumhari madad chahiye,” they had just finished their dinner and were preparing to go to sleep.

“Kaisi madad?”

“Geet. Un baaton ko yaad karna tumhare liye aasaan nahin hoga lekin Dev ko sazaa dilwane ke liye hamein saboot jugadne zaroori hain.”

“Maan. Aapne to sach much ise sirf apni ladai bana liya hai. Aap aise kyon kah rahe hain ki aapko meri madad chahiye? Ye mera kaam hai Maan. Aur jab tak aap mere saath hain, mujhe kissi cheez se koi taqleef nahin ho sakti.”

Maan smiled. He asked her some questions and encouraged her to give him as much information as she could recollect about Dev’s presence in Hoshiyarpur.

“Geet jis agent ne mujhe tumhari zameen bechi thi, usne Dev aur Nayantara ko pahchaan liya hai. To Nayantara bhi uske saath thi?”

“Haan. Usne khud ko Dev ki Bhabhi bataya tha. Do aur log the. Kamya aur…”

“Pammi?” Maan asked in surprise.

“Aap jaante hain unhein?”

“Pammi Dev ki Ma hai.”

“Dev ki Ma hai matlab, aap…”

“Geet. Dev aur Kamya mere sautele bhai-bahan hain. Maine kabhi unhein khud se alag nahin samjha. Lekin zahir si baat hai unhein sahi insaan bhi nahin bana paya. Mujhe vishwaas nahin hota ki Pammi bhi…”

That was a new information for Geet. Many questions came to her mind, but she decided to not pursue them then. Making sure that Maan does not feel guilty for any of Dev’s deed was more important, “Maan, please. Aap apne aap ko zimmedaar nahin thahraiye. Woh log bachche nahin hain ki apna bhala-bura nahin samajh sakte. Koi kissi ki ungli kahan tak pakad sakta hai.”

“Theek kah rahi ho Geet. Kamya chhoti hai aur usse mujhe koi ummeed bhi nahin hai. Lekin Pammi… Khair achchha hi hai. Hamein unki bhi madad milegi,” Maan also came out of those disturbing thoughts and started focussing on the matter at hand.

“Par woh apne bete ke khilaaf kyon jaayengi?”

“Woh tum mujh par chhod do Geet. Tum ye batao ki Manali jaane se pahle mujhe tumhare kamre mein ek kagaz ka tukda mila tha jis par ek Canada ka phone number likha tha. Woh tumhare paas pahle se tha na?”

Geet got nervous. She had lied then and was scared about how Maan would react to her lying, “Woh… Maan… I am sorry…”

“Geet. Woh number Dev ka tha. Aur tum pareshaan kyon ho rahi ho?”

“I am sorry Maan. Maine aapse jhooth bola tha…”

“Kyonki tum apne ateet ko chhod kar aage nikalna chahti thi, right Geet?”

Geet nodded and then said, “Mujhe dar tha ki aap us insaan ko dhoondhna aur usse badla lena apna maksad na bana lein. Main nahin chahti thi ki mere ateet ka saya aap par, ya hamare rishte par pade. Lekin mujhe kya pata tha… Please mujhe maaf kar dijiye. Mujhe jhooth nahin bolna chahiye tha.”

“Bas Geet. Main tumhein doshi kahan maan raha hoon jo tum mujhse maafi maangti ja rahi ho. Tumne apni jagah bilkul sahi socha tha Geet. Sach maano, mujhe tumse koi shikayat nahin hai.”

Geet smiled and leaned on to him.

“Geet mujhe ye batao ki tumhein woh number mila kahan se tha? Usne khud to nahin diya hoga.”

“Us guesthouse se jahan woh log ruke the.”

Maan made a mental note to contact the guest house. They could help prove Dev’s presence in Hoshiyarpur in that period.

“Aur jab se woh log aaye the, tab se ek-ek baat detail mein yaad karo Geet aur batao mujhe.”

The lawyer had wanted to do this himself, but Maan wasn’t sure he would be sensitive enough in his questioning. Geet’s well-being was paramount to Maan and he did not want anything done that could stress her. So, he has had a long conversation with the lawyer and had decided to get the information from Geet himself. Once Geet had recounted every incident, he expected it to be easier for her to go through the rest of the legal process.

Geet started telling him about the entire episode. What was reassuring for Maan was that she was talking as if she was telling a story. She did not seem affected by it any longer; nor did she show any signs of emotional breakdown. He realized that she was a strong girl and he needn’t be as protective of her as he was. But somewhere concern for her well-being had become a  basic instinct for him, which he could not have rid himself of.

Maan was shocked when Geet told him about the date and time when her fake wedding to Dev had taken place and the temple where it happened. She noticed his expressions and asked, “Kya hua Maan?”

“Main us waqt wahin tha Geet.”

“Kya?”

“Main mandir ke bahar khada tha. Mujhe pandit se milna tha. Par andar ek shaadi ho rahi thi, woh usmein busy the.”

Geet looked at him surprised. In what twisted ways was the fate binding them even then, when she was dreaming of her future with a deceptor?

Maan was suddenly overwhelmed with guilt, “Kash maine us waqt use dekha hota Geet. Kash main mandir ke andar chala gaya hota.”

“Please Maan. Aap aise har baat par khud ko dosh denge to kaise chalega? Aap mujhse kahte rahte hain na ki main pareshaan na houn. Aur aap khud?”

“Sorry Geet.”

“Pata hai Maan. Mujhe lagta hai ki meri zindagi mein woh dukh ke din isliye aaye the kyonki Babaji meri pareeksha lena chahte the. Isse pahle ki woh aapko mere jeevan mein bhej kar use khushiyon se bhar dete, woh ye dekhna chahte the ki main un khushiyon ke layak hoon bhi ki nahin.”

She always knew how to look at the brighter side of things. Maan smiled and they continued with the exercise.

When Geet mentioned the lodge she had stayed in with Dev on her way to Delhi, both of them remembered their meeting that night and fell silent. As they recalled the harsh words they had told the other person, they both felt very bad.

“I am sorry,” both of them said togehter. After a moment of surprise, they broke into a laughter and suddenly all the complications were gone.

After they were finished going through all the incidents and noting down as many possible potential witnesses and proofs as possible, Maan told Geet, “Geet. Main ji-jaan laga doonga is case ke liye. Tumhare gunahgaar ko uski sazaa zaroor milegi. Lekin Geet, chahe main kitni bhi koshish kyon na kar loon, tumhein kuchh cheezon ka saamna khud hi karna hoga. Court cases stressful hote hain, lawyers ulte-seedhe sawaal poochhenge. Tum ye sab bardasht kar sakogi na Geet. Kahin aisa na ho ki isse tumhari aur hamare bachche ki sehat par koi bura asar pade.”

Geet noticed the use of word “hamare” and felt extremely happy and proud.

To reply to his question, she said, “Apni sherni par bharosa rakhiye Maan. Main aapke bachche ko kuchh nahin hone doongi.”

Maan smiled, “Phir apne bachche se mera bhi ek waada hai ki uske Mummy-Papa use duniya ki saari khushiyan denge aur use har kaale saaye se door rakhenge. Ye case uske is duniya mein aane se pahle khatam ho jayega aur gunahgaar ko sazaa bhi mil jayegi. Hamare bachche ke oopar iska koi asar nahin padne doonga main.”

Geet was too overwhelmed to say anything. Her eyes grew moist and she leaned on to him for a hug.

—

To be continued

The wedding was a simple affair in the Gurudwara with only some office staff attending it. Pinki and Adi were, of course, the happiest amongst those present and had actively helped in wedding arrangements. They had also arranged a small reception in the evening at one of the best hotels in the city. The real surprise came to Maan when Adi asked him to come with him for something important. He gave him the keys to one of the rooms in the hotel.

“Ye kya hai Adi?” Maan asked in his usual stern manner.

“Woh.. Sir.. He he he… Sir aapke liye suite booked hai hotel mein aaj ke liye.” Adi stuttered.

“Kya? Lekin maine to…”

“Sir. Ye staff ki taraf se gift hai, Sir.”

“Oh!” It touched Maan, although he did not explicitly show it, “Lekin iski zaroorat nahin hai Adi.” Maan turned back hoping to consult with Geet, but she wasn’t there.

“Woh… ladkiyan Geet ko andar le ja chuki hain Sir. Please Sir. Sab logon ne bahut pyaar se ye arrange kiya hai. Aap mana mat kijiyega.”

Maan gave a rare smile to Adi and walked towards the room.

—

Geet was standing near the bed and then decided that she should sit on it, while waiting for Maan to come. But as she started to move away, the heavy zari work of her lehanga was caught in the curtains decorating the bed. When she tried to disentangle it with her hands, her hand jewelry (haath-phool) also got stuck in her lehanga and curtains, leaving her stuck and perplexed. Just then Maan entered the room and saw her struggling with the curtains. A smile formed on his lips. There couldn’t have been a more suitable beginning of his married life with Geet. His forever goofy Mishti was again struggling with something, which though trivial, will require him to come to her help. He enjoyed watching her struggle for a few second before he moved forward to help her.

Geet was so lost in her struggle that she hadn’t noticed Maan coming in. She was startled when he came to her, held her hands to stop her from trying further, bent down and freed her hands and lehanga from the curtain.

He stood up and looked at her with just a hint of smile on his lips and love and desire oozing out of his eyes.

Geet, on the other hand, was extremely embarrassed. This was not how she was to meet him on their first night. She should have been waiting for him on the bed, legs folded, hands around her knees. At least that was how it happened in the movies.

Maan noticed her embarrassment, but he assumed it was her nervousness.

“Dar lag raha hai Geet?” He asked her softly.

He was not completely wrong either. She, indeed, was nervous. She knew how passionate and possessive a lover Maan was. She wondered that if he let himself go, whether she will be able to survive his demands.

She nodded in reply.

“Lekin aaj iska mujh par koi asar nahin padne waala hai Geet. To apni saari himmat jama kar lo,” Maan traced her forehead with his index finger as he said this. Geet closed her eyes and took a deep breath to steady herself.

“Aao mere saath,” he put his arms around her shoulders and led her towards the dressing table. He made her sit on the stool in front of the mirror and stood behind her. They looked at themselves in the mirror for a few seconds. Then Geet noticed the intense look in his eyes and started looking down. Maan caressed her head and took the dupatta off her head. Geet closed her eyes to let his touch sink in. But Maan wasn’t going to allow her the relief.

“Aankhein kholo Geet. Aur dekho us aaine mein woh jo main har pal dekhta hoon. Aur samajhne ki koshish karo ki main kitna tadapta raha hoon itne dinon tak.”

It was an order! No compromises would be accepted. She opened her eyes and looked at the mirror.

Maan took off her Maang-teeka and kept it on the dressing table.

“Aaj tumhari maang bhar ke maine tumhein hamesha ke liye apna bana liya hai Geet. Aur ab se tum jab bhi mujhe tadpaogi, us tadap ko shaant bhi tumhein hi karna padega.”

Then he bent down and took off the ear-ring from her right ear. He nuzzled his nose on her bare earlobes and said, “Lekin aaj ki raat to lambi hone waali hai Geet. Kyonki aaj to tumhein meri itne dinon ki tadap shaant karni hai. Samajh rahi ho na tum?”

Geet took a deep breath and her eyes closed again. Maan noticed it quickly, “Maine tumhein aankhein band karne ki izaazat nahin di hai.”

Geet opened her eyes quickly, looking guilty like a child who had made a mistake despite repeated warnings.

Maan was thoroughly enjoying teasing her.

He moved to the other side to take off her other ear-ring. This time, after taking off the ring, he went ahead and bit her ear-lobe slightly. This made Geet gasp and she called out his name, “Maan!”

Maan stopped and looked at her, “Bas yahi ek shabd tumhein aaj ki raat bolne ki izaazat hai Geet. Sirf apna naam sunna chahta hoon main tumhari zubaan se. Iske alaawa hamare beech aaj lafzon ki bhi jagah nahin rahegi.”

Geet’s heart was beating at a furious rate. She remembered not to close her eyes, but she could not look straight either. She started looking down. Maan noticed this, but decided to let go.

He dug her hands her dupatta to reach her nape and unhooked her necklace. Then he brought his hands in the front and took off her necklace. Her hair were tied in a jooda and hence after the necklace was off, her neck was bare and accessible.

He made her stand up and tilt her neck to one side. He planted a kiss on her neck. The effect he was having on her was evident on Geet’s face. She looked helpless and completely at his mercy. He could have chained her up for life then, and she would not have resisted. Her own desires and vulnerability were evident in her body language and nothing escaped Maan’s notice.

Suddenly Geet shifted her feet a bit and her payal made a noise. Maan looked down at her feet and then shot her a glance that was almost angry at the interference.

“Bahut shor karti hain ye payal Geet. Lekin aaj main inhein bhi khud ko pareshaan nahin karne doonga,” saying this he kneeled on one of his knees, lifted her lahanga a bit and took off the payal. He used this opportunity to massage her ankles, relaxing and arousing her at the same time. He repeated the exercise with her other foot as well. He carelessly threw the discarded payal on the dressing table with rest of her jewelry.

Before undressing her further, Maan quickly opened the buttons of his sherwani and took off the kurta. It left his upper body bare except for the taveez. Geet looked at him and despite her best efforts she could not hide how incredibly attracted she felt towards him. Maan liked what he saw on Geet’s face. He was getting what he wanted. He did not say anything to her though. He wanted to drive her to the edge and make her as needy as he was, so that they could enjoy their union together.

He slipped one of his hands under her blouse on her shoulder to take off the pin that was holding her dupatta. Geet was not expecting his touch and almost stumbled as he did that. He had to support her before taking off the pin. Before doing the same on her other shoulder, he made her sit on the stool once again. With this he completely took off her dupatta and she felt extremely exposed with her low-cut blouse and exposed belly. Once the dupatta was off, Maan noticed her bangles and haath-phool. He took off the haath-phools first from both her hands and then turned his attention to her bangles. He was taking extreme care is taking off the bangles, still the last one broke and also hurt Geet a little. A small drop of blood came out of her hands. Maan panicked and immdiately started sucking the blood away to stop the flow. He did not realize that the injury was not causing much pain to Geet, but his sucking her wound was arousing her like crazy. He noticed all this only when she took his name once again, quite breathlessly, “Maan!”

He looked up at her and realizing what had happened, smiled a bit. Taking a cue from the effect, he started licking and sucking her fingers one by one. Geet’s other hand moved to his hair and she started digging into them and caressing them roughly. Maan left her fingers then, cupped her face and suddenly drew her into a long kiss on lips. When he broke the kiss she was panting and was breathless. She could not control herself any longer. She got up and hugged him tight taking his name once again, “Maan!” Maan happily reciprocated her hug.

When they broke the hug, he was not left with any more patience. He was sure he had achieved what he wanted to. He picked her up in his arms, took her to the bed and settled her on it. Then he himself climbed the bed and lied beside her, completely trapping her by putting his long hands and legs on top of her.

He loosened her hair out of the jooda and said, “Geet. Lagta hai abhi tak to tumhein bahut mazaa aaya hai. Tumhari himmat ke test ka level thoda badhana padega.”

Saying this he moved to be on top of her, kissed and nibbled at her entire body senselessly, practically ripped apart their clothes and devoured her to his heart’s content.

—

To be continued

Maan couldn’t have allowed that to happen. So, he changed his decision immediately, “Nahin Dadi Ma. Aap kahin nahin jaayengi. Main hi chala jaata hoon.”

“Maan…”

But Maan did not stop to hear Dadi Ma’s pleas.

“Nakul!”

“Ji Chhote Sahab.”

“Outhouse mein ground floor par ek bed lagwao aur mera saara samaan wahan pahuncha do.”

“Ground floor par? Office mein?”

“Haan. Ek baar mein baat samajh nahin aati?”

—

“Sir? Ye sab kya ho raha hai?” Geet looked at Maan’s stuff lying around in suitcases in the office and then noticed the bed.

“Agar tumhari izaazat ho to main yahan rahne waala hoon?”

“Kya? Aise office ke is hall mein?”

“Haan! Achchha hai na mujhe kaam karne ke liye bhi kahin jaana nahin padega.”

“Dadi Ma naraaz hain?” Geet came to the point.

“Geet,” Maan came to her and held her hands, “Sab theek ho jayega. Mujh par bharosa rakho Geet. Please.”

There was no point in making things difficult for him. So, she did not press the point further. But she could not see him living in the hall like this.

“Maan. Aap yahan nahin rahenge.”

“Tumhein problem hai Geet?” Maan was hurt, but he did not show it.

“Haan. Apna samaan kamre mein bhijwaiye. Aise is hall mein nahin rahenge aap. Ye aapka ghar hai.”

“Lekin Geet…”

“Main yahan so jaungi.”

“Nahin Geet. Ye nahin ho sakta. Main yahan theek hoon.”

“Aap meri baat maanenge ya main khud utha kar le jaun.”

“Nahin, nahin Geet…” she knew how to have her way with him.

“Main sofe par so jaungi…” Geet told him once his stuff was settled in the room.

“Bilkul nahin. Maine tumhari baat maan li. Yahan aa gaya. Ab tum meri baat maanogi. Tumhein achchhi neend aana bahut zaroori hai. Tum bed par soogi aur main sofe par.”

“Lekin main sofe par aa jaungi, aapke liye ye poora nahin padega…”

“Chup. Bilkul chup Geet,” he silenced her in his signature style by putting his hands on her lips.

—

“Nayantara. Ye Geet ne to sach much Bro par jadu kar diya hai. Aakhir aisa kya hai usmein ki Bro aankhein band kar ke us par vishwaas kar baithe hain. Koi bhi saboot to hai nahin uske paas hamare khilaaf. Warna woh Dadi Ma ko zaroor batati.”

“Kya hai uske andar, ye baat to aapko pata honi chahiye Dev,” Nayantara replied bitterly.

“Nayantara – abhi hamare saamne zyada badi problem hai.”

“Use aap hamesha ki tarah hamare oopar hi chhod dijiye. Aapka to kaam hai gadbad karna aur hamara kaam hai usse hamein nikaalna. Chahe woh jua khelna ho ya apni biwi ko dhokha de kar kissi ke saath sona.”

Dev was pissed off, but he could not say anything.

Nayantara continued, “Hamein bas Dadi Ma ko apne kabze mein kar ke rakhna hai. Jab tak woh hamare saath hain, Maan Veerji hamara kuchh nahin bigaad payenge.”

What they did not know was that Maan had been more involved in Geet’s life than they had imagined.

—

Maan remembered Geet’s land that was sold to him by the agent. That is where the clues were to be found. He called up Munshi Ji, “Munshi Ji. Aapke paas Dev ki koi photograph hai?”

“Ji. Unki shaadi ki ek photo shayad haveli mein padi hui hai. Par kyon?”

“Woh photo le ja kar aap agent ko dikhaiye jisne hamein Handa parivaar ki zameen bechi thi aur usse poochhiye ki woh use pahchaanta hai kya?”

“Ji?” Munshi Ji was taken aback.

“Jo maine kaha hai woh kijiye. Aur haan! Is baare mein aap Dadi Ma, Dev ya kissi aur se koi baat nahin karenge.”

“Ji Chhote Sahab.”

—

It was past midnight. Geet had fallen asleep. But Maan was unable to sleep. Multiple things were clouding his mind. Concern for Geet. Worry for Dadi Ma. Office affairs and then bringing Dev’s truth out. He fidgeted on the sofa, and finally unable to fall asleep got up. He walked around the room and his eyes fell on Geet’s face. How innocent and beautiful she looked even while sleeping. He remembered the first day he had found her in the outhouse. In his bed. He had thought it was his dream. And she did indeed look like a dream. So, serene, so beautiful.

And it made his life difficult. “Itna khoobsoorat to khwaab bhi nahin hota Geet. Aur tum mere saamne hakeekat ban kar aayi ho. Kaise khud ko tumse door rakhoon. Bahut mushkil hai Geet.”

He sat down beside her on the bed and caressed her forehead and hair. Geet woke up, but she recognized his touch even in her sleep. She wasn’t scared.

“Maan?” She sat up as she said.

“Woh… Geet. Sorry. Tumhari neend khul gayi. Main jaata hoon. Tum so jao aaraam se…” Maan was embarrassed.

But Geet held his hand and did not let him go, “Neend nahin aa rahi?”

Maan looked at her and forgot his embarrassment. He came closer, kissed her forehead and hugged her. Geet also responded by hugging him back. But as soon as he hugged her, his desires took over his mind. He caressed her hair and back roughly. Geet did not resist, but Maan himself came out of his trance and withdrew.

He held her hands and said, “Tumse door nahin raha jaata ab mujhse Geet. Main tumhein hamesha ke liye apna banana chahta hoon. Sabki nazaron se door le jaana chahta hoon, sirf apne liye. Mujhse shaadi karogi Geet?”

Geet looked at him surprised. Tears and happiness – both appeared in her eyes, “Lekin aisa kaise ho sakta hai? Dadi Ma…”

“Dadi Ma ko sachchai ek din zaroor pata chalegi Geet. Yakeen maano. Aur us din hamein unka aashirwaad bhi mil jayega. Lekin Geet. Jab tum mere paas hoti ho to mujhe tumhein chhoone ka man karta hai. Tumhein baahon mein lene ka man karta hai. Aur khud ko rokna mere liye bahut mushkil hota hai Geet. Main ab tumse door nahin rah sakta.”

Geet had to tell him something, but she was feeling too shy. She struggled for the right words for a while before speaking, “Mujhe… aap par… bharosa karne ke liye… shaadi ki mohar ki zaroorat nahin hai… Maine khud ko… aapko saump diya hai…”

Maan looked adoringly at her, overwhelmed with her trust and love. Her eyes were downcast. He lifted her chin and made her look into his eyes,  “Mujhe pata hai Geet ki tum mujh par aankhein band kar ke bharosa karti ho. Aur yakeen maano, mujhe ye bahut achchha lagta hai. Ki zindagi mein itne dhokhe khane ke baad bhi tum mujh par itna bharosa karti ho. Aur isliye Geet, main tumhare bharose ka imtihaan nahin lena chahta. Main tumhein apni dulhan bana kar haq se apne saath laana chahta hoon Geet. Bolo Geet, mujhe ye haq dogi? Mujhse shaadi karogi?”

What could she say? She just nodded. Her eyes were filled with tears of happiness. Her lips were trembling and nothing came out of them. Maan hugged her once again and she was happy to lose herself in his arms. Maan had not been so much at peace in a long time now.

—

“Geet! Main jaanta hoon ki hamari shaadi thode ajeeb circumstances mein ho rahi hai. Lekin Geet. Maine chahta hoon ki tumhara har sapna poora hai. Tum mujhe batao Geet ki tum shaadi mein kya chahti ho. Main waada karta hoon ki woh sab kuchh hoga hamari shaadi mein.”

“Mujhe Babaji ke aashirwaad ke alawa kuchh nahin chahiye.”

“Geet. Tum…”

“Main sach kah rahi hoon. Mujhe koi tadak bhadak, koi naach-gaana, koi dikhawe ki rasmein nahin chahiye. In sabse shaadi nahin hoti na, rishte bhi nahin nibhte hain. Rishte to pyaar se bante hain, pyaar se hi nibhte hain. Babaji ne mujhe woh de diya hai. Mujhe aur kuchh nahin chahiye.”

Maan smiled and caressed her cheek, “Theek hai Geet. Aisa hi sahi.”

—

Pinki and some parlour staff were helping Geet get ready when Maan walked in. The girls left the room taking the cue, leaving behind an embarrassed and shy Geet to Maan.

“Sir, aap abhi yahan kyon aaye hain?”

“Kyon? Mere aane par koi pabandi hai?”

“Bilkul hai! Abhi hamari shaadi nahin hui hai.”

Maan put a packet he had brought on the bed and pulled her close to him.

“Kuchh hi ghanton ki to baat hai na Geet. Phir to koi pabandi nahin hogi? To abhi kyon…” he was approaching her lips for a kiss.

“Maan!” Geet got genuinely nervous and called his name without ‘Sir’ for the first time since she had joined Khurana Constructions.

Maan stopped in his track and smiled naughtily, “Maan?”

Geet felt even more shy and started looking down. Maan lifted her chin and made her look into his eyes.

“Bahut achchha lagta hai tumhari zubaan se mera naam Geet. Abhi main isse hi kaam chala loonga. Lekin agar dubara tumne mujhe ‘Sir’ bulaya to yaad rakhna ki main tumhara dusht danav boss ban jaunga. Samjhi tum?”

Geet nodded and blushed.

Maan started taking off her ear-ring startling her, “Ye aap kya kar rahe hain Sir? Mera matlab hai Maan.”

“Geet. Aaj ke din tumhein hamare khaandaani gahne pahanne chahiye the. Woh tumhara haq hai. Main tumhein aaj woh nahin de sakta. Aaj jo main apne pyaar ke gahne laaya hoon, unse hi kaam chala lo. Lekin main waada karta hoon Geet ki jo tumhara haq hai woh tumhein zaroor milega.”

Geet knew that the issue was not the jewelry. He was promising her Dadi Ma’s acceptance through it, which was important to both of them. And she trusted him. She just blinked and nodded to convey her support to him. Maan changed the jewelry she was wearing with the ones he had brought.

Once he was done, he took a few steps back from her and stared at her admiringly for few seconds. Geet became conscious, “Main kaisi lag rahi hoon?”

Maan came forward and kissed on her forehead, “Bilkul meri dulhan jaisi.” He left the room saying, “Jaldi aana Geet. Main besabri se tumhara intezaar kar raha hoon.”

—

To be continued